Air and electric coupling for railroad-trains.



B. 0. NELS0N. AIB. AND ELECTRIC GOUPLING FOR RAILROAD TRAINS.

APPLIUATIOFILED DEG. 27, 1912. 1,1 18,571.

WITNESSES:

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B. C. NELSON. AIE AND ELECTRIC GOUPLING FOR RAILROAD TRAINS.

PPLICATION FILED DEU. 27, 1912. 1,1 Patented NOVQ24. 1914.

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BUELL C. NELSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIG-NOR OF ONE-HALF T0 WARREN GREGORY, 0F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

AIR AND ELECTRIC COUPLING FOR RAILROAD-TRAINS.

Specification of Letters Patentl Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Application led December 27, 1912. Serial No. 738,784.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, BUELL C. NELSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Air and Electric Couplers for Railroad-Trains, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to a combined air and electric coupler for railroad trains. 3 It is the object of this invention to provide a coupler for connecting the air lines and electric conductors on railroad trains between the adjacent cars, and by means of which the air lines and electrical circuits may be either connected or disconnected simultaneously.

A further object is to provide an air and electric coupler which is simple in construction and which can be easily and quickly operated by the traimnen without necessitating a dangerous kneeling posture lbetween cars, as is now generally practised in coupling and uncoupling the air and electric lines.

Other objects and advantages of this in vention will appear hereinafter.

The invention primarily resides in a header adapted to be mounted on the ends of a car and in which the air pipes and electric conductors terminate, a jumper having a flexible central portion carrying end members adapted to be connected to the headers, and provided with air and electrical conductors arranged to form a continuation ot' .theconductors terminating in the headers,

means for locking-the terminals of the jumpers in the headers, cut-od valves ar- I g ranged in the headers controlling the passage of air therethrough, switches in the headers controlling the passage of electrical current therethrough, and means for operating the switches, valves, and jumper lock- .ing means on each header by one operation.`

The invention further consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the invention on the line A.--A of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line B-B of Fig. 1 with parts removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line C-C` of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the rigidly mounted on the end of a car at any suitable point, which casing is open at its outer end and is divided into two compartments by means of a partition 3 formed of any suitable insulating material.

The outer compartment in the headercasing 2 forms a female member for the reception of the terminals of a jumper, which terminals constitute male members and are indicated at 4. The jumper terminals or male members 4 are block shaped structures formed of any suitable material, such as cast metal, which are connected together by means of a. detachable iiexible tube 5.

Formed in the male members 4 is a series of longitudinally extending air passages 6,

'the outer ends of which open to tubes 7.

These passages 6 and tubes 7 correspond in number to the air conductors employed on the train, which may be of any desired number; three being shown in this case. The inner ends of the passages 6 terminate on the under side of the male members 4 and are spaced a suitable distance apart; gaskets 8 surrounding the mouth of the passages 6 being rigidly secured to the underside of the male member 4.

The gaskets 8 are designed to register with corresponding gaskets 9 mounted on the interior of the female portion of the header 2, when the member 4 is inserted in the header 2, as shown in Fig. 1.

The gaskets 9 surroundfthe mouths of the air passages 10 leading from the underside of the header 2, which passages 10 communicate with air pipes or conduits 11 leading to .and from various air-operated and controlling mechanisms on the car. The air passages 10 are arranged in transverse alinement with each other in such manner that a multiple tapered valve 12 mounted in the casing 13 of the air passage 10 -will extend across each of the air passages 10. The valve 12 is provided with ports 14 which are -formed `within. the header 2 is a series oi knife switches which are mounted on a rock-shaft 16, and which are adapted t0 engage spring Contact members 17. As many knife switches 15 are pro vided. on the rockshaft 16 as there are dangerous electrical circuits employed on the car, and may be varied as occasion requires. A knife switch 15 is connected to a' conductor a which enters the header 2 through a cable conduit 18. The

the various electrically controlled and operp ated mechanisms on the car.

The various knife switches 15 are so arranged on the rock-shaft 16 as to make or break circuit between the conductors a and 7o simultaneously on the operating of the rockshaft, as will presently be described.

The plugs 19 and 2O extend horizontally from the partition 3 into the i'emale portion r of the header 2 and are designed to enter sockets 19 and 20', suitably mounted on the end of the male member when the latter is- Tlie sockets 19" inserted inthe header 2. and 20 connect with electrical conductors Z and e, which connect with corresponding sockets on the male `member e at the other end of the jumper; the conductors d ande being formed in a flexible cable which passes through the jumper tube 5. f

Pivotally mounted at 21 on the upper outer end of the header 2 is a vertically swinging spring `actuated gate 22, which gate normally gravitates to a vertical position to close the open outer end of the. header 2 when the male member t on the juniper is removed therefrom; the gate 22 being closed against the upper wall of the header 2, and held thereagainst by the male member 4. when the latter is inserted in the header 2.

Means are provided for clamping the male member L Within the header 2 to prevent its being displaced. This means is here shown as consisting of a cam mounted on a rockshaft 24, supported in suitable bearings on the upper face oi the header 2. Thecam extends through a slot in the header 2 and is adapted to bear against -the upper face of the gate to press the latter against the male l member and thereby securely hold the latter in position.

f islaam valve 12; a pin 28 on the crank 27 engaging the slot 26 on the arm 25 in such manner' that when the valve 12 is rtated the crank` 27 will act to oscillatc the arm 25 and rock the shaft 241 and move the cam 23 in and out of engagement with the gate22.

The valve 12 is provided with a 'hand-v,

lever 29, b means of which thel valveis operated; a ink 30 connecting' with the 4lever 29 leading to and connecting with a crank 31- on the rock-shaft 16 in such manner that when the lever 29 is actuated to operate the valve 12, the rock-shaft` 16 will be operated v in unison therewith to actuate the switches'l.

1n the operationof the invention, when it is desired to connect the various air andelectrical lines onadjacent cars, the male members e on the ends of the jumper are inserted in the Jr'eznale portions of the headers 2. The' members l1 on entering the headers raise the gates 22 to their op"en^position. A

plate spring 32 mounted in thebottoni ofthe Aheader 2 bears against the underside of the male member el -in such manner as to noi'- mally hold the latter in such position that the gaskets 8 will move freely over the gaskets 9, outv 'of contact therewith' when the members d are being inserted in 0r withdrawn from the headers 2.

Mounted on the outer ends of the members dare downwardly curved guide anges 33, so arranged as to be engaged by horizontally extending iianges Sel formed in the headers 2; the iianges 33 and 34coperating when the members a are insertedin the header 2 to insure the plugs19 and20 registeiing with the sockets'19 and 20, and also causing the members d to move downward a short distance in opposition to the.

spring 82 to bring the gaskets 8 into con? position in the respective headers 2 on adjacent cars, the hand-levers 29 on the headers 2 are operated to open the valves 12, close the switches 15, and loperate the rocksliatt 211 to'throw the cam 23 against the upper face of the gate 22; the camsl 23 act# ing to force the members 1 downward in opposition tothe springs 32, thereby forcing the gaskets 8 tightly against the gaskets 9, and clamping the members L1 againstremoval from the headers 2. i

llhen it is desired to disconnect the `iumper from the headers in breaking up a train, or' separating" the cars, the handlevers 29 are moved in such direction as to turn the valves 12 a half revolution into' their closed position to cut od the passage or air from the conduits 11. This m0veiisv ment of the levers 29, transmits a rocking movement to the rock-shaft 16 through the link 30, thereby throwing the switch members 15 out of contact with the spring contact members 17 to break electrical circuits simultaneous with the closing of the air circuits. The rocking of the valve 12 also rocks the crank 27 thereon so as to move the cams 23 out of engagement with the gates 22, and release the male members 4 from their clamped position. The male members 4 on the jumper may then be readily withdrawn from the headers 2, thus effecting the disconnection of the air and electrical lines on the adjacent cars. When the male member 4 has been withdrawn from the header 2, the gate 22 returns to its closed position, thereby preventing the admission of dust or moisture to the interior of the header 2 through its outer end.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the jumper can not be removed from the header until after the air valve 12 is closed, and the switches 15, controlling the electrical circuits, are opened; and that the air 4and electrical connections can not be com pleted until the jumpers are clamped in place by the opening of the valves 12 and the closing of the switches 15. Hence, since no -current can be obtained from any exposed part of the header, the employees or others handling the header or jumper may do so with safety and without fear of electric shock, thus obviating the need of lowering trolleys for this purpose. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in that it is safer than the present method of kneeling in a dangerous position between connected cars to couple the air hose, reaching through the drawheads to open the air cocks at a risk of mangling the hands and arms, and inserting and withdrawing the bus line jumpers at a lrisk of serious injury from electric shocks by contact with a jumper which might be charged.

The use of thisinvention vsaves time, hence, reduces Icost of labor in making up and cutting down the trains, and in substituting in trains a good car for a disabled one. It is advantageous not .only in the less time required'for its operation and in its safety, but also in its automatic insurance against the overlooking of an air cock or switch, as the ability of the conductor to airrisignal from rear car to motormans cab guarantees that every cock between cars is "open, every switch closed, 4and every coupler locked in place, because the identical movements which make the air signal ,communication possible insure the rest being automatically effected. Likewise the withdrawal of the male members of a jumper from the header is a guarantee of proper closing of the cocks and opening of th switches, because the same movements required to release the `jumper will auto;

matically and simultaneously effect the rest.-

which leads from a point adjacent the valve 12 and opens to the space rearward of the partition 3 in the header 2 at a point to one side of the switches 15, in such manner that ports in the valve 12 will, when the valve v12 is .operated to cut oli' the passage 10, discharge a blast of air through lthe pipe 36 int'cthe header 2, crosswise thereof so as to break any arc which might be formed by the opening of said switches l5.

If desired, the passages in the members 4, may converge to an externally threaded partition tube 37, as shown in Fig. 7, to which a single partition hose 38, formed as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, may be connected by means of a threaded sleeve or union 39. This arrangement facilitates connecting the air lines from one male member 4 to the other in the jumpers, making the jumper light, compact andflexible.

The 'coupler hereinbefore described, is particularly adapted to be placed near the sides'of a car, as shown in Fig. 6, being preferably placed at a convenient point which will not necessitate the workman kneeling between the cars or reaching under t'the drawheads to couple the hose, nor the reaching through the drawheads to open or close the air cocks.

It is manifest that in order to carrythe unused air and electrical couplers on 'the first and last cars of a train, it will be nec- I claim and desire .to secureby Letters Patent, is- 1. In an air and electric coupler for trains', av header to be mounted on a. car. a

series of air passages leading to the header' connecting with the air lines on the car, a multiple valve for controlling the flow of air through said passages, a hand-lever for opber having air passages adapted'to register with the before-mentioned air passages, electrical conductors leading into the male meu ber, electrical conductors leading into the header. means for connecting the conductors in the header with those in the male meniber, means tc'lock the male member to the header, a. switch in the header for breaking the circuit through the conductors, and means whereby thel operation of the valve will operate the switch and actuate said locking means.

2. In an air and electric coupler for trains. a header to be mounted on a car, a

yerat`in, the j'alve, a.' detachable male inelnrau - the before-mentioned air passages, electrical conductors leading into the male member,

electrical conductors leading into the header, means for connecting the conductors in the header with those in the male member', a

switchin the header for breaking the circuit through the conductors, meanswhereby the operation of the valve will operate the switch, and means controlled by the operation ofthe valve for securing the male member to theheader or releasing it therefrom. f 3. Tn an air and electric coupler for trains, a jumper comprising a male member having air passages formed therein, a series of sockets in the male member', in combination with a header to be mounted on a car having air passages adapted to register With the air passages in the male member of the jumper, plugs in the header engage able with -the sockets in the male member, electricall conductors leading from said plugs, a switch in the header to break the circuitthrough the conductors, an air valve to controlithe header air passages, means for locking the male member in the header, and' nstrumen'talities whereby operation of said Valve will out olf the passage of air to the male member and break the electrical circuit and ac'tuate said locking means.

-LL .In an air` and/electric coupler for t1ainsa header comprising a hollow casing open at its outer end, a series of electrically conducting plugs arranged horizontally Within the casing, electric conductors leading from said plugs, switches in the header connected to and controlling the ioW of current through said conductor", air passages in said header connecting with the air conduits on the car. a multiple valve in said air passages, and means whereby the closing of the valve will simultaneously open the switches, and the opening of the valve will close the switches.

5. In an air and electric coupler for' trains, a header comprising a hollow casing open at its outer end,` a series of electrically conducting plugs arranged horizontally within the casing, electric conductors leading from said plugs, switches in the header connected to andcontrolling the flow oli cur- .rent through said conductors` air passages in said header connecting with the air conduits on the car, a multiple valve in said air passages. means whereby the closing of the valve Will siinultaneouslyropen the switches, and the opening of the valve Will close the switches, a male member insertiblein the open outer end of the header having air passages arranged to 'communicate with the 'air miseri passagesin the header, sockets in the male member'engageable with the plugs in the header, and means whereby uponclosing of the valve the male member will be clamped Within the header. Y

6. In an air and electric coupler for trains, a header comprisingv a hollow casing open at its outer end, a series of electricallyv ber insertablein the open outer end of the I header having air passages arranged to communicate with the air passages vin the header, sockets in the male member engageable-With the plugs in the header, means for clamping the male member Within the" header, and

` means `whereby opening of the valve effects.

the clamping of the male member Within the header and simultaneous yclosing of the switch. I

7 En an air and electric coupler for railroad trains, a header comprising a casing open at its outer end and having a series of air passages opening on its interior, a. single valve for controlling the How of air through said passages, a male member insertable' in the outer end of the header having air passages arranged to communicate `With the first mentioned air passages, electrical connections between said header and member, means to break the circuit through said electrical connections, means whereby the operation ofthe valve to close theair passages will clamp the male member Within the casing and whereby the opening of the valve will operate saidcircuit breaking means and will release the male member including a rock-shaft on the header, a cam on-said rock-shaft for clamping the male member in the header, an arm on said roel; shaft. and connections between said arm and the valve by which the rock shaft is' rocked on the operation of the valve.

8. ln an air and electric coupler for railroad tra-ins, a-header comprising a casingV open at its outer end having a series of air passages opening to its interior and leading from its underside, a 'multiple valve for controlling the flow of air through said passages, a male member insertable in the outer end ofthe header having air passagesarranged to communicate with the beforefmen tioned an' passages, means whereby the operation or" the valve to open the air pasf sages Will clamp the male member within the casing and whereby theclosing of the valve will release the male member, includaus i iso ing a rock-shaft on the header, a cam on said rock-shaft to clamp the male member in the header, an arm on said rock-shaft, connections between said arm and the valve by which the rock-'shaft is rocked ony the operation of the val-ve, electrical' conductors in the male member, electrical conductors .in the header, means for connecting said its conductors When the male member is positioned in the header, and means actuatedv by the closing of the valve and releasing of the male member for simultaneously breaking .the electrical circuitl through said conductors, and whereby the opening of the valve and clamping of the male member will simultaneously complete' an electrical circuit to said conductors.

9. In an air and electric coupler in combination uiith a pair of interengageable elements having registering air passages and engageabley f electrical conductors, means borne by one of theelements to control the fion' oi air through the air passages thereof, means borne `by said element to break the circuit throhgh said conductors, and mechanical nn ans connected to the air control- Aling means a. il t i the circuit breaking means whereby upon losing of the air controlling means said circuit .breaking means will be simultanea ly operated.

10. In an air and electric coupler, in combination witl. a header having airpassages leading theeniel and a member receivable in theI Leadsv and having air passages for regis'py with tiose of the header, a valve for cwtrolling the aforementioned passages, interet-agreable electrical conductors borne by said header andmember, means/in the Gomes of. patent may be obtained for header for breaking the circuit through the conductors, means to positively lock said member in* the header, and means whereby when the valve is moved to closed position said locking means. will be rendered inoperative and said circuit breaking means will break the circuit through 'said conductors.

11. In an air and electric coupler, in combination with y a pair of elements having registering air passages and engageable electrical conductors, means borne by one of the elements to control the iioW ofv air through the passages thereof, means borne by said clement to break the circuit through. said conductors, means borne by said ele ment to lock the elements together, and means whereby when the valve 'is moved to i yclosed position said circuit breaking means will break the circuit and unlock said lock- Witnesses.

BUELL C. NELSQN. Witnesses JOHN II. HERRING, -W. IV. HEALEY.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Washington, D. C. 

